Team:Oxford/P&P public engagement
From 2014.igem.org
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+ | <h1blue2>15th August 2014 - Round 2</h1blue2> | ||
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+ | For the second focus group, we decided to produce a brief informative presentation giving an overview of synthetic biology, its pros and cons, and an outline of our project and aims. Also included were some 'mythbusters' directed at addressing the misconceptions we came across during the first focus group. | ||
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+ | <center><iframe style="border:none" src="http://files.photosnack.com/iframejs/embed.html?hash=ptujw33i&t=1409228812" width="720" height="405" allowfullscreen="true" mozallowfullscreen="true" webkitallowfullscreen="true" ></iframe></center> | ||
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+ | We hoped that comparison of the results from the group with the benefit of this information would help us to establish which concerns are legitimate and which are alleviated by greater understanding and communication. | ||
+ | With this group, the focus of discussion shifted from the potential problems with biotechnology, to ways in which these could be addressed. | ||
+ | With both groups, there appeared to be a very wide range in the level of understanding of synthetic biology. This is supported by the results of our survey, which also suggest a correlation between age and level of understanding (with younger generations tending to have increased knowledge). Further, it appears that many of the views of those in the focus group were based on media accounts of developments in the field - again, this is consistent with the feedback from our survey. Public concerns regarding synthetic biology arise from a combination of lack of understanding and legitimate worries. | ||
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+ | <div class="row"> | ||
+ | <a href="#hide10" class="hide" id="hide10"><div class="blue_news_block"> | ||
+ | <h1>Listening to Public Concerns </h1> | ||
+ | </div></a> | ||
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+ | <a href="#show10" class="show" id="show10"><div class="blue_news_block"> | ||
+ | <h1>Listening to Public Concerns </h1> | ||
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+ | All members of the group agreed that scientists should. Some members also expressed scepticism as to the claims of synthetic biology, and suspected that the potential benefits of the technology had been 'overhyped' in many areas, creating unrealistic hopes. It is important <u>CONTINUE HERE</u> | ||
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+ | - Valuing Public Support | ||
+ | It was agreed that it is crucially important for scientists to recognise the importance of securing and maintaining public support and legitimacy. For this reason, scientific development must seek to earn public trust by not advancing too far ahead of public attitudes, and ensuring that potential applications of new technology offer clearly explained social benefits. | ||
+ | - Accessibility of Information | ||
+ | Many of the group felt that there remains a deficit of accessible, reliable, and impartial information. Independent sources of information are particularly significant: some members also expressed scepticism as to the claims of synthetic biology, and suspected that the potential benefits of the technology had been 'overhyped' in many areas, creating unrealistic hopes. Similarly, it was recognised that information concerning the risks of synthetic biology frequently comes from biased sources which may have a motive to overstate the dangers and seek to create excessive public anxiety. | ||
+ | - Balanced Regulation | ||
+ | There is great concern that the development of fast-growing fields such as synthetic biology is 'overtaking' the regulation which is in place to regulate its application and to balance the risks and potential benefits. Such concerns could be addressed | ||
+ | We used the feedback from these focus groups to shape the direction of our survey questions. far more difficult to enforce. | ||
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Revision as of 20:14, 20 September 2014
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